Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Steve Blake Traded to the Clippers

Steve Blake (1999-2003) was traded to the LA Clippers today. Blake had played for the Portland Trail Blazers since the beginning of the 2007 season, and is in the final year of his contract (he had also previously played for the Blazers in 2005-06). Along with Blake, Travis Outlaw was sent to the Clippers in exchange for Marcus Camby. From the NBA press release:

The Blazers were able to part with Blake because of the development of Jerryd Bayless and the presence of Andre Miller. Blake returned to Portland before the 2008-09 season and was a starter for much of last season. He began this season in the Blazers' starting lineup as well before taking on a reserve role in December. In 51 games, Blake was averaging 7.6 points and 27 minutes per game for the Blazers.

Blake, 29, is in his seventh NBA season and is averaging 7.6 points, 4.0 assists and 2.0 rebounds in 51 games in 2009-10. In his career, the former University of Maryland star has appeared in 470 NBA games, making 289 starts with career averages of 7.6 points, 4.2 assists and 2.6 rebounds. Originally drafted in the second round (38th overall pick) of the 2003 NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards, Blake is a career 39 percent three-point shooter and has played for a total of five teams, spending time with the Milwaukee Bucks and Denver Nuggets as well as the Wizards and Trailblazers.

"We made this deal to add younger players at multiple positions of need. We shored up our backup point guard position and added mobility, range shooting and versatility to our front line. Steve Blake is an accomplished point guard in this league who plays starters minutes and led Portland to the playoffs last year.

(Dunleavy stepped away from being the team's coach earlier this month, handing the coaching reins over to assistant (now interim head coach) Kim Hughes, but is staying on in his role as General Manager.)